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Scheda rapida delle regole del Pickleball

Quick-reference guide for standard play · Updated for the 2026 USA Pickleball rules

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1Serve diagonallyServe from behind the baseline into the opposite service court.
2Let it bounce twiceThe return of serve must bounce, then the serving side's next shot must bounce.
3Then play normallyVolley or groundstroke - but respect the kitchen.

Pickleball scoring

  • Only the serving side scores in standard scoring.
  • Games are typically to 11, win by 2.
  • Doubles score = server score - receiver score - server number.
  • The opening doubles score is 0-0-2.
  • After a side-out, the player on the right serves first.

Kitchen rules

  • The non-volley zone extends 7 ft / 2.13 m from the net on each side.
  • You may stand in the kitchen, but you may not volley while touching it.
  • The kitchen line is part of the kitchen.
  • Momentum from a volley cannot carry you into the kitchen, even after the ball becomes dead.
  • You may enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced.

Serve rules

  • Serve from behind the baseline with at least one foot grounded in the correct serving area.
  • Serve diagonally into the opposite service court.
  • A net-touching serve is live if it lands correctly.
  • The serve must clear the kitchen; a serve on the kitchen line is a fault.
  • Volley serve: an upward arc, paddle head below the wrist and contact no higher than the waist.
  • Drop serve: release from a natural, unaided height and hit after the bounce.

Two-bounce rule

  • The receiving team lets the serve bounce.
  • The serving team lets the return bounce.
  • After those two required bounces, either side may volley or play off a bounce.

Lines: in or out?

  • A ball touching any court line is generally in.
  • Exception: on a serve, the kitchen line is out/short.
  • Call a ball out only when you can clearly see space between the ball and the line.
  • When in doubt, the ball is in.

Common faults

  • Serve lands outside the correct service court or in the kitchen.
  • Volley before the two-bounce rule is completed.
  • Volley while touching the kitchen or kitchen line.
  • Ball lands out, fails to cross the net, or bounces twice.
  • Ball in play touches a player or something they are wearing/carrying.
  • Player, clothing or paddle touches the net while the ball is live.

Remember: Serve → bounce → bounce → now volleys are allowed.

Based on the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook. This simplified TOCO67 cheat sheet is for quick reference and is not a substitute for the official rulebook. TOCO67 is not affiliated with or endorsed by USA Pickleball.

Pickleball rules made simple

New to pickleball? Focus on four things: the serve, the two-bounce rule, scoring and the kitchen. The serve travels diagonally into the opposite service court. The serve must bounce before it is returned, and that return must also bounce before the serving team hits its next shot. After that, volleys are allowed.

How does pickleball scoring work?

Only the serving side can score a point. Games are commonly played to 11 and must be won by two points. In doubles, three numbers are called: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score and the server number.

What are the pickleball kitchen rules?

The kitchen is the non-volley zone extending seven feet from the net on both sides. Players can enter the kitchen, but cannot volley the ball while touching the kitchen or its line.